Effect of molecular weight on conductivity of polymer electrolytes

The ionic conductivity, σ, of mixtures of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfone)imide (LiTFSI) was measured as a function of molecular weight of the PEO chains, M, over the range 0.2–5000 kg/mol. Our data are consistent with an expression σ = σ0 + K/M proposed by Shi and Vincent [Solid State Ionics 60 (1993)] where σ0 and K are exponential and linear functions of inverse temperature respectively. Explicit expressions for σ0 and K are provided.

► PEO/LiTFSI electrolyte conductivity measured over wide molecular weight range
► Conductivity contributions arise from both segmental motion and chain diffusion.
► Explicit expressions provided for molecular weight dependence of conductivity